Page 39 of Broken: Taylor

Chapter 17

Things just kept getting better. Taylor eyed the front door and considered the distance and his ability to get in his truck.

Eric parked it parallel to the porch to make it easier for him. However, with the way his family hovered, he’d not make it that far before one of them stopped him.

Earlier when Ernest and Henry had come inside, he thought he’d heard Allison’s name. He’d been half asleep trying to ignore Felicia’s running commentary of the game on the television.

So, was she Ben’s date?

When Ben sat down next to her with his plate of food, it was obvious they were definitely there together.

And he wanted to punch the guy’s lights out.

“First date,” Earnest mumbled, placing a plate loaded with potato salad, steak and a sausage in front of him and settling down next to him with one just as full. “Why the hell would he take a girl to a group thing on a first date? Not like him. She must be special to him.”

Through narrowed eyes, he saw Allison laugh at something Ben said and they shared it with Mindy who joined in. Eric lowered to sit beside Mindy, whom Taylor knew his cousin was interested in.

That left him with Felicia if everyone was partnered up. Which he decided was not a thing.

Seeming to sense his aggravation, Felicia met his gaze and then looked to where Ben and Allison sat. “Interesting group of people. Maybe next time I’ll bring a date. Seems like this is a pairs thing.”

Taylor shrugged and began eating. Despite the annoyance of seeing Allison out with his friend, the food was amazing.

After eating, Henry, the self appointed social director, got everyone to agree to a board game. The only two not playing were him and Allison, who came and sat next to him.

“How’s the healing coming along? Her husky voice traveled straight through him. “I got updates from Leah, but haven’t heard about anything lately.”

She didn’t seem angry. Her long fingers trailed down the side of the beer bottle as she watched the game.

“Slow going. The physical therapy is a barrel of fun.”

“Hmmm. It always seems to be the worst part. When Jaden, my stepson, had a car accident, he messed up his knee and said the pain of the injury was less than the pain during the physical therapy.”

He’d not heard much about her stepson, other than knowing the boy was at least twenty-five and on his own. He didn’t remember much about Allison’s life after high school. He was already in college by the time she graduated and since he’d gone from there to Billings, he’d missed out on knowing whom she married.

“Your ex-husband live here in Laurel Creek?”

“No. He lives in Seattle. Actually, Jaden lives there too.”

She laughed when someone made a mistake costing a point and high-fived Ben. The throaty sound made him want to high five the guy too, fist to face.

Before the game ended, he got up. Immediately, Ernest and Henry rushed to his aid making him want to growl. Instead, he let them help him up the stairs and away from Allison Brennan.

“Kinda thoughtyou’d punch Ben out a couple of times. Maybe it’s a good thing you can’t move too fast.” Eric laughed. It was almost midnight and everyone except Felicia, who was bunking there, had left.

“What are you talking about?” Taylor stared at the television. It may as well have been Sesame Street, as he’d not paid the movie any attention.

Eric sat down and put a foot up on the ottoman. “You didn’t bother hiding your emotions well. Kinda disappointing for an old cop.”

“I feel like shit. That’s the emotion I have.”

“Bull. Shit.”

“What about Mindy? You waiting on a meteor to fly by with a banner? You moving awful slow Cuz.”

Eric let out a long breath. “Her brother just died and besides, she seems kinda gun shy. Every time I am near her, she gets all stiff and shit.”

“You’re an idiot.”